Animal Services/Pet FAQs

What can I do if I see an Egret on my own property?

These birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, a U.S. federal law that protects more than 800 species of birds during their migration between the United States and Canada. As a result, the City of Lewisville is unable to address any complaints while the birds are nesting. Residents can address the situation proactively by following these guidelines:

As soon as you see birds on or near your property, begin using scare tactics.

Use noisemakers, water spray or shine lights at night.

Hang "scare eye" balloons or other moving objects in trees.

Use long poles, tennis balls or water hoses to disturb early nesting material.

Do not harm birds or eggs. These birds are protected by international treaty.

Once birds begin sitting on nests, eggs are probably present. You cannot kill, harass, move or disturb the birds when they are actively nesting.

During Nesting Season – (Typically March - October)

Do not kill, harass, relocate, move or attempt to scare away the birds by any means during nesting season.

Are impounded animals checked for microchips?

Yes. All animals (except small pets such as birds or hamsters) are scanned to detect microchip identification which may have been implanted. A microchip is a tiny computer chip which has a unique identification number programmed into it and is encapsulated within a biocompatible material. It is about the size of a grain of rice and can be injected under the skin of your pet by a veterinarian or at the shelter for a nominal fee. For more information about microchip identification, please contact the shelter.

How do I adopt a dog or cat from the City animal shelter?

The City of Lewisville offers dogs and cats for adoption on a first come first served basis. However, if more than one person wants to adopt the same animal when the shelter initially opens, a drawing is held to determine who will adopt the animal. Animals adopted from the City animal shelter are required to be spayed or neutered. To adopt an animal from the City animal shelter:

You must be at least 18 years of age. You will need to present a valid ID such as a drivers license, Texas ID card, or military ID card at the time of the adoption

You must pay all applicable adoption fees at the time of the adoption. The adoption fee is $90 per animal.

How do I get a dead animal picked up?

For deceased animal pick up from your property or from a City of Lewisville maintained roadway or grounds, call Lewisville Animal Services at 972.219.3478 during regular business hours.

Deceased animal pick up is limited to small species of animals such as dogs, cats, squirrels, birds etc. Lewisville Animal Services is not equipped to pick up and dispose of large animals such as cattle or horses.

How do I get my pet back if it is picked up by animal services?

If your pet is picked up by an animal service officer, it will be taken to the Gene Carey Animal Shelter and Adoption Center located at 995 E. Valley Ridge. To reclaim an animal from the shelter:

Please call the animal shelter at 972.219.3478 to confirm the hours it will be open.

You must be at least 18 years of age.

You must present a valid ID which verifies your identity and date of birth.

You must complete the applicable redemption forms.

You must pay the applicable redemption fees and charges prescribed by City ordinance. Fees and charges range from $10 on up, depending on the rabies vaccination status of the animal, city registration, status of the animal, how many times the animal has been impounded, and how long the animal is housed at the animal shelter.

How do I obtain a City registration certificate and tag for my dog, cat, or ferret?

All dogs, cats, and ferrets over the age of 4 months old must be registered with the City of Lewisville Animal Services Division as required by City Ordinance. To register your pet you will need:

A copy of your pet’s current rabies vaccination paperwork (with the vet’s letterhead) from the vet showing the date of vaccination

How do I report a pet I have found?

Call the animal shelter at 972.219.3478 during regular business hours. A staff member will be happy to complete a found pet report so you can be contacted if an owner contacts us about a missing pet that matches the description of the one you have found. If you are unable to keep the found animal until a searching owner contacts us, you may make arrangements to have us pick it up from you.

How do I report a pet I have lost?

It is highly recommended that an owner who has a pet missing to visit the shelter during normal business hours. You may file a report at that time if the shelter does not have your missing animal. You may also bring a picture for the lost report you can file.

Call the animal shelter immediately at 972.219.3478 during regular business hours. A staff member will be happy to complete a lost pet report so you can be contacted if your pet is impounded or someone else finds the animal and reports it to us.

How do I report an after hours animal related emergency?

An on-call animal service officer is available to respond to animal related emergencies during the hours that officers are not on duty. Animal related emergencies are incidents or situations in which public health or safety is in imminent danger. These include an animal bite to a person, an aggressive animal running loose, a seriously injured or sick stray animal, an animal displaying symptoms of rabies, and loose livestock.

To report an after hours animal related emergency, call the Lewisville Police Department non-emergency number at 972.219.3640. They will notify the on-call Animal Services Officer.

How do I report an animal bite to a person?

Texas Department of Health regulations and City ordinances require that animal bites to a person be reported to animal control within 24 hours of their occurrence. To report a bite incident which occurs within the city limits of Lewisville, contact Lewisville Animal Services at 972.219.3478 during regular business hours. To report after hours bites incidents, contact the on-call animal service officer through the Lewisville police non-emergency number at 972.219.3640.

How do I report an animal noise nuisance?

To report an animal noise nuisance such as an unreasonable disturbance being caused by the frequent or prolonged barking of a nearby dog, call animal control at 972.219.3478 during regular business hours or submit an online report using our Customer Support Center.. A staff member will be happy to record your complaint which will be handled by an animal service officer.

Your complaint will be assigned to an animal service officer who will contact you to verify the facts and circumstances if requested. The officer will contact the owner of the animal causing the disturbance and issue a warning notice.

Animal Services cannot issue citations where no violation is observed. If you wish to file a complaint for an ongoing issue, where Animal Services has not identified any violation, a complaint may be filed with the Lewisville Police Department.

How long are animals kept at the animal shelter?

Stray animals are kept at the animal shelter for at least 5 consecutive days. However, if an animal is seriously injured or ill, it may be euthanized prior to the expiration of this 5 day period to alleviate further suffering. Identification is key and Animal Services encourages microchipping with current contact information so that we may return your animal to you as soon as possible.

Animals surrendered by their owner may be made available for adoption, rescued by a humane group, or euthanized at any time after it is released to the animal shelter.

What are the restraint requirements for animals in Lewisville?

Dogs, cats, agricultural animals (i.e. cattle, horses, goats, etc.), and potbellied pigs are required to be physically confined or restrained at all times; they must be confined within a fence, building, vehicle, etc. or physically held leash at all times.

What happens after I report an animal bite to a person?

After Animal Services receives an animal bite report, an Animal Services Officer will contact the owner of the animal involved and determine the animal’s quarantine status.

A dog or cat involved in a bite incident must be placed into quarantine for 10 days (240 hours) from the date/time of the bite, where it is to be monitored to determine if it transmitted rabies at the time the incident occurred. If the dog or cat was vaccinated against rabies within the 365 day period preceding the bite incident, and it was not stray at the time of the incident, quarantine at the owner’s home may be considered. Otherwise, the dog or cat will need to be placed into quarantine at the City animal shelter or a local veterinary clinic. Home Quarantines are only allowed under certain parameters met and/or by Officer discretion.

Animals other than dogs or cats involved in a bite incident are subject to a 30 day quarantine period, or must be euthanized and processed for rabies testing.

What vaccinations does my pet need?

City ordinance requires that all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age, and then within each subsequent 12 month (365 day) period thereafter. Rabies vaccinations must be administered by a licensed veterinarian.

There are several other vaccinations which are very beneficial for your pet, but are not required by law. They help protect your pet from serious diseases such as parvo, distemper, feline leukemia, etc. Please consult with your veterinarian about these beneficial vaccinations as well as other health issues such as heartworms, internal parasites, and flea control.